four years

Dear sweet Jackson,

Happy birthday, big boy! You are FOUR years old! Or you is four years old. Last night, I was up with Leah around 12:30. You woke up, sat up in bed, looked at me and asked, "Is I'm four now?" I said, "You are! Happy Birthday!" and I'm surprised you could even fall asleep again--you were SO excited. :) You've continued to remind me today that you're four now, that you're a really big kid, and that it's your birthday. Of course I already know this, but I do appreciate the reminders. :)

Four years ago today, I was holding my brand new baby boy, dealing with severe sleep deprivation after 30+ hours of labor ending at 1:36 in the morning. You were so precious--I remember I couldn't believe you had finally joined us on the outside! You and I were just in the bathroom (you wanted to shave and I was about to dry my hair). You went potty and then said, "Mom, I love you." I told you I love you too and said, "Can you believe you're FOUR?" You giggled and I talked about what was happening four years ago (without getting into the gory details) and you were very curious. "Why were you at a hospital?" "Was I in your tummy like Leah?" I told you I was holding you because you were a tiny baby (tiny is relative) and you said, "And feeding me?" You're very smart. :)

What a YEAR this has been! I was thinking today about your birthday last year. The day you turned three, we went to the Children's Museum with Eli and Corinne. You were such a different kid back then! You have grown so much this year--physically of course, but also just in who you are. You are getting so smart, you are very funny, and you are the best big brother ever.

Speaking of which, that's probably the biggest event of the year. Leah joined us in July and flipped our world upside down! In a good way, obviously. I remember when we had you--pretty soon, Dad and I couldn't even remember what life was like without you! The same thing happened when Leah came. After a few weeks, it was hard to imagine what life with JUST you was like. And I think you'd agree. I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight. And your first sight of Leah was on the computer at Mimi and Poppa's house! Ah, technology. (Of course, you'll read this in 20 years and say, "That was high technology?"). You soon came down to the hospital and saw her in person. You also asked if I still had a baby in my tummy. :) As Leah has grown, you also have grown into a loving, helpful sibling. You're a gem. And now that Leah is more aware of things, she is completely enamored with her big brother!

I'm not sure exactly when it started, but you've become completely enthralled with all superheroes. I'm fairly certain your first love is Spiderman, but you've recently added Batman and Superman to the mix. And, of course, all of the "Super Friends" like Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, Hawkman, and Captain America. You have a Spiderman costume (from Halloween) that you wear at least a couple of times a week and a cape that is Spiderman on one side (nevermind that Spiderman doesn't wear a cape) and Batman on the other side. You also have a number of things that you have deemed "super hero stuff" and made into bat tools and other imaginary items. You are quite good at shooting imaginary webs out of your hands and pretending to fly like Superman. I love it--it's very "boy" of you. Not that you do other stuff that's girly or anything. :)

Jack, if you could pick any food to eat for lunch or dinner for the rest of your life, you'd pick "Daddy's noodles." Daddy introduced you to Ramen noodles about a year ago and you LOVE them (much to your mother's dismay). Every time I ask what you want for lunch you answer, "Um, like Daddy's noodles." I do enjoy the extra "Um, like" in there. Unfortunately for you, I only allow them once or twice a week.

My darling boy, I love you SO much. Our family is so blessed to have you in it! Bless you this year as you continue to grow into everything that God has for you. And I know that the bigger you get, the less cool it is to hug and kiss your mom. But promise me that once in a while, we can still snuggle up and take an impromptu nap on a Saturday afternoon!

You're my favorite boy. ;)
Love,
Mom